But with Sydney... with Sydney, I’d had it all- And lost it all. Love, understanding, respect. The sense that we’d both become better people because of each other and could take on anything so long as we were together. Only we weren’t together anymore. They’d ripped us apart, and I didn’t know what was going to happen now.
Those words, that voice, had more power over me than any phantom ever could.
Did you pick that out?” I asked Dimitri. Honestly, I would have expected him to bend a piece of steel with his bare hands and present her with that.
I couldn’t be certain, but I think Rose swore in Russian.
Hey Sydney,” she said, giving me a small, crooked smile as she entered the room. Her flashing, dark eyes were friendly, but they were also assessing everything in the room, much as Eddie’s gaze was. It was a guardian thing. Rose was about my height and dressed very casually in jeans and a red tank top. But, as always, there was something as exotic and dangerous about her beauty that made her stand out from everyone else. She was like a tropical flower in this dark, stuffy room. One that could kill you.
Sydney,” Adrian interrupted, cupping my face in his hands. “Never, ever think like that. I don’t regret anything we’ve faced. Being with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, the one perfect decision I’ve made in a lifetime of fumbling and poor judgment. I’d go through it all again to be by your side. Never doubt that. Never doubt how I feel about you.
And I’d rather you have a worthy partner who’s a human than a Moroi who can’t help you share your burdens.
With Alicia and the Alchemists on the loose, Sydney couldn’t leave a secure location like this without good reason. She contented herself by holing up in a guest room and prepping some spells that would be of use in the search for Alicia tomorrow. That left Dimitri and me to babysit, which seemed like the setup for some sort of wacky sitcom.
I’m Marcus Finch. Of course I have an escape car.
Look what we’ve done so far. We’re pretty good at the impossible.
Adrian shifted just enough so that we could look at each other again. It was one of those rare moments where he was completely floored. “Let me get this straight. The future of our relationship hinged on advice from a fifteen-year-old girl, a probably untrue story from a one-eyed Chihuahua trainer, and me unromantically – yet skillfully – kissing you on top of silverware and china?
Ah, Eugenie. I know. We will be victorious, you and me. We’re the strongest monarchs in this world. You and I will lead this army, and we will conquer the Rowan land. We’ll split it between us, adding on to our kingdoms... and from there, we can go anywhere. We could rule half this world together – all of this world – you and me. Kingdom after kingdom would fall to us...
Some things don’t need words. Sometimes it’s enough to just feel. You don’t have to label and articulate all that’s around you.
You think that I’m so manipulative and scheming, Miss Sage? It’s all for them. For my loved ones first. My people second. And yes, I suppose I’m in the mix there too, but don’t think for an instant I wouldn’t sacrifice myself if it could save someone I love. And don’t think for an instant that I wouldn’t do terrible, unspeakable things if it could save someone I love.
Through the metal grating on my carrier door, Adrian’s face suddenly appeared, peering in at me. “What new, pussycat?
Rose laughed at that. “Oh, this I’ve got to see, comrade. Dimitri Belikov, badass god, installing a baby’s car seat.
Do you think my being someone else’s wife will change anything? Don’t you know that I’d lie with you in the groves, under the light of the moon? That I’d defy the laws of gods and men for you?
We’re all in charge of our own lives – and we have to live with the consequences of the choices we make.
Because sometimes, a person can get so caught up in the details that they miss the whole. It’s not just the dress or the hair. It’s you. You’re beautiful. So beautiful it hurts me.
Twenty minutes later, a new message came in, this one from Sydney herself: Back in human form. Everything seems to be normal. Everything? I questioned. Well, aside from a weird urge to chase laser pointers, she responded. If that’s the worst effect, I’ll take it. Keep me posted. I love you.